BRITISH TENPIN BOWLING ASSOCIATION 2018 BTBA Championship Tour Presented by: Daniel Bonfield, BTBA Adult Tour Manager Issued: December 2017
1. Introduction: For 2018 we want to build on the solid foundations laid down in 2017. We are delighted that two of 2017 tour partners are back on board for 2018. We would like to thank Mr. Pat Byrnes at B&P Fabrications who has not only agreed to once again sponsor the 2018 tour, but has increased his sponsorship. The other returning sponsor is Striking Shirts, with thanks to Alex Hamilton and Mark Barwick for their continued support. The BTBA would also like to thank Roger Whichelow at Bowltech for negotiating support from TRACK bowling during 2017 For 2018, we aim to build upon the foundations laid last year. We improved the flow of information to bowlers via the bowling media and social media, and we will continue to maintain the level we reached last year. One of the aims for the 2018 is to increase the live streaming of events. We trialed live streaming at the Shipley, Dunstable and Stroud events all proving popular with the bowling community. The live streaming of the Dunstable Trios had 12,000 views over the 4 live streaming sessions. Entry fees will be set at a maximum of 50, with the exception of the BTBA Nationals. All Tournaments will have scratch and handicap or average based divisions. The Tour is offering a series of events throughout the year at centres around the county that appeal to bowlers of all abilities What are we trying to achieve in 2018? One of the objectives for the 2018 tour is to try to attract more women to bowl tournaments. We had success at the mixed trios event in 2017 where 23 ladies participated. In 2016 only 2 ladies played the required number of events, 2017 saw that increase to 4. We want to continue that trend of doubling the number year on year, so in 2018 we are aiming to get 8 ladies playing the required 6 events. Ultimately, we are aiming to get more bowlers playing competitively, looking to improve their game, gain confidence and then going on to the next level and taking part in the Team England Trials. What s new for 2018? We are aiming to live stream more events. Due to the increased level of funding from B&P Fabrications and the increased participation, we will be paying down to 9 th in the men s division at the end of the season. Details on the percentage splits can be found in section 5. There will be a new event in the BTBA Nationals. To make the Nationals feel like a real Team tournament, we are creating a Team All Events category. This will be sponsored by B&P Fabrications. Any team in any division who has the highest total over all 3 events, singles, doubles and team, will be declared National Team Champions and will collect a cash prize. The Nationals will also be classed as a Major. Ranking points will be increased for all tournaments classed as a Major. There will be no more than 2 Majors a year. Full details on how the rankings points will be awarded can be found in section 5. All BTBA Tour tournaments will now have a universal number of games that a bowler Page 2
has to declare their highest average over, set at 12 games. All BTBA tour averages will be rolling on a calendar year from 2017. Qualification The qualification criteria for entry into the tours will be as follows: Tour events will be open to BTBA members only. If you are not a BTBA member, you will be asked pay 21 on the day of the tournament to join the BTBA. This will permit the bowler to play in the tournament. Bowlers who claim to be members but are unable to provide a valid membership card, will be permitted to play on the payment of a fine as detailed on the entry forms. After the tournament an audit check will be carried out and if the bowler is found not to be a valid member then BTBA tour points will be null and void for that particular tournament Electronic proof of membership on the BTBA website will be accepted as proof of membership. Please note that it is still the responsibility of the player to ensure that they can provide proof of membership. All participants must be prepared to act in accordance with the instructions of the tournament manager and other tournament officials. 2. Dates and locations: The Adult Tour will consist of ten tournaments consisting of varying formats. With the exception of the National Championships, the Adult and Senior Tour events will in the majority of cases be held on separate dates. However in order to increase attendance it is possible that some events will be a common event for both Tours. i.e. the Generation Doubles in Stroud. We have tried to spread the tournaments around the country to give people an equal opportunity to play in their own region or travel. Adults 13 th - 14 th January Nottingham Mixed trios Location MFA Nottingham 10th to 25th March National Championships Stroud 7th 8th April Lancashire Open Wigan 19th - 20th May BUTBA Doubles Airport Bowl 16th - 17th June Jim Brewer Poole 7th 8th July TBA Shipley 4th 5th August TBA Dunstable 22nd 23rd Sept Shropshire Open Shrewsbury Page 3
20th 21st October Northants Open Wellingborough 17 th 18 th November Generation Doubles Stroud 3. Format: Working closely with tournament managers, we will ensure that formats are interesting and enticing for all. While there will be a mixture of oil patterns, we do not intend to use Sports patterns for these events. Whenever it is practical, details of the patterns to be played will be made available on the BTBA website www.btba.org.uk. Age Bonuses, Handicaps etc. may apply within individual events. Please refer to the Tournament entry forms for details. However bonuses &=and handicaps will not be used when determining points awarded for qualification for the BTBA Tour. All Tour points will be awarded based on scratch scores over a minimum of 6 games / tournament. 4. What is the cost and how/when do I apply? The cost of participating in each event will be appropriate to the event and will be determined by the local Tournament Manager. We are aiming to provide a reasonable prize fund while at the same time keeping general costs down. Included within the tournament fee will be: Lineage costs Tournament Expenses (printing, advertising etc) Local Association Contribution The Team England contribution, this will be set at a minimum of 2.00, but may vary depending on the nature of event. The Nationals for instance. Prize fund for the event A 5.00 contribution towards the cost of the end of season "Tour Standings" award. This will be awarded to players who place in the Tour Standings at the end of the year. Full details in section 5 All entry forms will be made available on the BTBA website and the dedicated 2018 BTBA Tour Facebook page, and wherever possible on other bowling media e.g. TalkTenpin. Details of when and where to enter will be contained within the individual entry forms. Page 4
5. End of season Tour Standings awards A minimum of 6 events are required for qualification for the cash Tour prize and the top positions will be based on points awarded at each player s best 6 events. Event Adult Scratch Singles Adult Handicap Singles & Senior Singles Doubles, Trios, Teams National Championships When points are awarded Final positions at end of tournament Positions at the end of qualifying round Individual scores at end of qualifying round Individual scores combined across all categories Note: (All Players competing in National Championships will be awarded points based on pinfall for games played in order so that they can still use this as a qualifying event). Points will be awarded using the following formula: Adults, Men and Ladies: 1 st place 120 pts, 2 nd place 110 pts, 3 rd place 100 pts. 4 th place 95 pts, 5 th place 90 pts etc decreasing thereafter by 5 pts per place to 10 th place 65 pts. 11 th place 64 pts, 12 th place 63 pts etc decreasing thereafter by 1 point per place to final place Rankings points for a Major will be awarded thusly 1 st place 200 pts, 2 nd place 180 pts, 3 rd place 160pts 4 th place 150pts, 5 th place 140 pts etc decreasing thereafter by 10 pts per place to 10 th place 90pts 11 th place 89 pts, 12 th place 88 pts etc decreasing thereafter by 1 point per place to final place After the final event of year the money in the Tour pot made up of the bowlers 5 contributions throughout the year and it is anticipated that this will be divided thusly o Men: 1st 33%, 2nd 20%, 3rd 15%, 4th 9%, 5th 7%, 6th 6%, 7th 5%, 8th 3% 9th 2% o Ladies: 1st 35%, 2nd 22%, 3rd 15%, 4th 12%, 5th 10%, 6th 6% A running total of the money that is in the tour pot will be confirmed on the official Tour Facebook page after every tournament. End of season Tour cash prizes will only be awarded if the bowler plays the required number of tournaments. In the event of any draw in the Tour standings then pinfall Page 5
will be considered in the awarding of the cash prize. Page 6